The following information comes from the Historical Section (G.S) Report No. 96 The Canadian Army's Role in Survival Operation that was prepared on 29 October 1962. It was classified Top Secret and declassified in 1986.51. Following the meeting of the Minister of National Defence with the Conference of Defence Associations, the Chief of the General Staff advised the several General Officers Commanding on 29 January 1959 that the training of the Militia would be designed to make it effective in Survival Operations rather than in field operations. Detailed instructions would be issued later. ​

Albert Head Summer CampFor Militia soldiers such as Sergeant Bill Wickett, the National Survival decision meant summer camps learning about urban rescue. It became commonly known as "Ropes and Ladders" as a parody to that childhood game of "Snakes and Ladders." The training was seen as a major dissatisfier and recruitment suffered.